Jay Taft: Bizarro Bears stop slide in big way

Tuesday

Dec 10, 2013 at 12:21 AMDec 10, 2013 at 12:21 AM

By Jay TaftRockford Register Star

The offense clicks, but the defense stinks; a young offensive line has been a strength; the backup quarterback has shined; there are big, tall and talented wide receivers everywhere; Devin Hester stays seated when the Bears offense is on the field.

My how things have changed for the 2013 Bears, who just snapped a two-game losing streak during which they looked OK at times, but brutal at others. They never had to punt on Monday, scoring on their first eight possessions of the game en route to 490 yards of offense and a 45-21 beatdown of Dallas.

But can Chicago change the one thing that really counts: Their postseason woes? After Monday’s dominance of the Cowboys, there is at least still hope.

Things that Bear fans thought were decades away just a few months ago have unfolded right in front of their eyes this season. And it’s all coming in Marc Trestman’s first season as NFL coach.

One thing that could still remain constant, however: No matter how good they looked Monday, they still may not play in the postseason. The Bears missed out on the playoffs in five of Lovie Smith’s last six years, and even with Monday’s dominating win, they still need to win out and get help to keep it going.

“We still have a long ways to go, but boy this sure proved we can do it when we’re on,” rookie offensive lineman Kyle Long said. “As on offense, this was how to do it. This was a night when we got to show the country — show the world — what this team is made of.”

Chicago came into the game ranked fifth in the NFL in points scored (26.9 points per game) and sixth in passing offense (271.6 yards per game). The problem much of the way: Their defense was 28th overall (386 ypg) and last in the league against the run (153.6 ypg). It showed on Monday night, and it had cost them a couple of games already this year. It didn’t cost them on Monday.

Even though Dallas running back DeMarco Murray averaged 8.1 yards per rush and finished with 145 yards — becoming the 10th straight running back to rush for more than 95 yards against the Bears D — Chicago still rolled. Last year’s Bears’ defense allowed a first-quarter touchdown just once; they gave up an easy one on Monday night, and it’s happened seven times already this year.

But if the offense plays like it did against Dallas, it won’t matter.

McCown has been at his best when the elements are at their worst. In the tornado-friendly conditions at Soldier Field on Nov. 17, McCown threw for 216 yards with a touchdown and no picks during a 23-20 overtime win over the Ravens. On Monday, the wind chills dipped below zero before the game even started, but he was sharp again.

It was McCown’s third straight 300-yard passing game, but just his seventh in his 11-year career. Heck, it’s hard to fathom that McCown was coaching high school football just two years ago. On Monday night, he was just working his way to a 141.9 QB rating while putting on a show.

By next week, when the Bears head to Cleveland in an attempt to keep their playoff dreams alive, it will probably be time for Jay Cutler to return behind center. But McCown has not only become a short-term hero in Chicago, he’s also kept the Bears in the hunt and earned respect throughout the locker room.

“He’s just been amazing. We can’t say enough about how he’s run this offense,” the other rookie offensive lineman, Jordan Mills, said. “This has been his offense, and he’s made it work. It’s up to us to keep it going.”